Electric regulator.



J. BIJUR. ELECTRIC REGULATOR.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.24, 1904. RENEWED NOV.9,1906.

PATENTED DEC. 25, 1906.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

ATTORNEYS" PATBNTED 131510. 25, 1906.

J. BIJUR. ELECTRIC REGULATOR.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 24, 1904. RENEWED NOVzQ. 1906.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

PATENTED DEC. 25, 1906.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH BIJUR, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE GENERAL STORAGEBATTERY COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC REGULATOR.

Patented Dec. 25, 1906.

Applicationfiled September 24, 1904. Renewed November 9, 1906. SerialNo. 342,704.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JosEPH BIJUR, a citizen of the United States, and aresident of the borough of Manhattan, city, county, and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ElectricRegulators, of which the following is a specification, accompanied bydrawings.

This invention relates to electric regulators particularly adapted forsystems of electric distribution in which storage batteries are used inaddition to the generatingdynamo, and an auxiliary dynamo is provided tocause the battery to charge or discharge as the external load decreasesor increases, the voltage of the auxiliary dynamo being made to vary indirection and amount, or both, as-the voltage requirements of the systemmay necessitate; but the improved regulator may be used in anyconnection in which it may be foundapplicable.

The objects of the invention are to enable a substantially constant loadto be maintained on the generating-dynamo with a findtuating externalload and to improve upon regulators for varyin the voltage of theauxiliary dynamo with the external load.

To these ends the invention consists of a regulator for carrying out theabove objects consisting of the combinations of elements, features ofconstruction, and arrangement of parts having the general mode ofoperation substantially as hereinafter fully described and claimed inthis specification and shown in the accompanying drawings, in whichFigure 1 is a diagrammatic view, partly in section, of a regulatorembodying the invention and circuits and connections therefor. Fig. 2 isa vertical sectional side view of the regulator or controller, a portionof the lower part having been broken away. Fig. 3 is a transversesectional view of the regulator or controller, taken on the line a b ofFig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail vertical end view of the lower portion'of theregulator or controller,

which portion carries the resistances. Fig. 5 is a detail vertical sideview, partly in section, of the lower portion of the regulator orcontroller corresponding to Fig. 4. Fig. .6 is a detail face view of thecontacts or segments for one of the resistances to which the sections ofsaid resistance are connected. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail view of theadjusting device for adjusting the tension of the regulator orcontroller spring.

One system to which the regulator may be applied will first be describedto illustrate the operation of the device, and, referring to thedrawings, and at first more particularly to Fig. 1, A represents asuitable dynamo or source of supply connected to the mains b and 0,while the work portion of the system carrying the external load isrepresented by the conductors d and e. In this instance the load isrepresented by the lamps f by way of illustration. Connected across themains is shown a storage battery B, in series with which is arranged thearmature of the auxiliary dynamo O, the field D of which is connected tobe varied both in direction and amount by the electromagneticcontroller, (represented by E,) which controls the resistances R R,connected in circuit with the field-winding D of dynamo C. The regulatoror controller E is so connected as to be indirectly responsive tochanges in the external load of lamps f or other electroreceptivedevices. The resistances R may be connected to any suitable source ofexciting-current; but in this instance they are shown connected acrossthe mains b c of the generator A. They are, however, connectedreversely, the upper and lower terminals 1 and 2 of resistance R in Fig.1 being connected, respectively, to the positive and negative sides ofthe generator A by Wires 3 and 4, while the upper and lower terminals 1and 2 of resistance R are reversely connected by wires 5 and 6 to thenegative and positive sides of the generator A. The terminals of thefield-Winding D of dynamo C are connected by wires 7 and 8 to thebrushes 9 and 10, which are insulated from each other and from thecommon support 11 and are adapted to be moved along the insulatedcontacts or segments 12 and 13, to which the sections of resistances Rand R are suitably connected. Any suitable and convenient arrangement ofresistances, contacts, and brushes may be provided for attaining theends in view.

When the brushes are in the lower position, as shown, the brush 10 willbe at the same potential as the positive side of the source of supply A,while brush 9 will have the potential of the negative side, and therewill be between these two brushes the full voltage of the source ofexciting-current for the field D, the current passing from the positivebrush ofdynamo A through the main b by wire 6, through terminal 2 ofresistance R to brush 10, from thence by wire 8 to and through the fieldD, returning by wire 7 to brush 9 to terminal 2 of resistance R, and bywire lback to the negative main 0 and the negative brush of dynamo A.When.

the brushes ,are in the uppermost position, brush 9 will be of positivepolarity and brush 10 negative, in which case the full voltage [0 willbe impressed upon the brushes 9 and 10, but in a reverse'direction, thecurrent then passing from the positive brush of the dyname by wire 3 tobrush 9, thence by wire 7 through field D, and back by wire 8 to brush I5 10, and from thence by wire 5 tothe negative side of dynamo A. Whenthe brushes 9 and brushes in one direction or the other, by

means of which. construction and opera- 0 tion the excitation of thefield D,.and consequently the voltageof the armature of the auxiliarydynamo C, will vary in direction and amount with the position of thebrushes 9-and 10. I

3 5 The controller E is constructed to provide a substantially-uniformworking field of force in which an electrical conductor is mountedhaving a substantially large range of movement in said field. Means areprovided for 0 opposing a substantiallyuniform mechanical pull to themovement of the conductor in the working field of force, whereby whenthe balance between the electrical and mechanical forces isdisturbed theconductor moves until the balance is restored. The moving conductorreferred to is connected to control the movement of the brushes 9 and 10to vary the :field D of the auxiliary dynamo or booster-crusher C.

5o The controller E may be constructed in a variety of ways, and onesuitable construction which has been found to operate efficiently andwell is illustrated in the drawings, although equivalent constructionsmay be found to operate upon the same principle as the controller hereindisclosed. In the construction shown in this instance the hollow frame Fis preferably of caststeel, while the field-core G, preferably ofeast-steel or wrought-iron, is adapted to be suitably secured within theframe F and for this purpose is provided with the cap H, which may besecured to the frame F by means .of the bolts I. As will be seen in thecross-sectional 6; view in Fig. 3, the frame'F and core G aresubstantially cylindrical and the core G is hollow to allow theoperating-shaft J to have movement therein. The upper end of the hollowcore G may be closed by a suitable plug K.

Around the core G is arranged the fieldwinding L, adapted to beenergized, and thereby produce a magnetic circuit through the core G andacross the air-gap 0 between said core and the surrounding frame F. .In7 the air-gap O is a substantially uniform use-- ful or working field offorce roduced by the excitation of the coil L. urrounding the core G isa movable coil P, adapted to move along the axis of the core, themovement of which is opposed in one direction by the spring Q. Whentheelectrical force tending to move the coil Pand the pull of the springare in equilibrium, said coil P remains stationary. 8

In the construction of the apparatus the coil P is preferably wound upona brassspool S, in turn carried bythe brackets orarms T, preferably ofaluminium, which are adapted to move in thegrooves .U in the outer faceof the core G, whereby the air-gap is reduced, the movement is guided,and the coil P ,is prevented from twisting, although any other suitablemeans may be provided for accomplishing these objects. Suitably securedto 5 the arms or brackets T by means of .the screws V is provided-thespider W, preferably of aluminium, which is in turn connected to theoperating-rod J, as by means of the pin X, so that the movement of thecoil P is imparted .to the operating-rod The brushes 9 .and 10 aresuitably connected to the ,rod J and movable therewith. The hollowportion of the core G forms a dash-pot in connection with the. piston Y,connected to the upper end of the rod J. The brushes 9 are suitablysecured to the supporting-piece 11, carried by the rod J and fixedlysecured thereto. While different constructions may be provided for thebrushes, asuitable construction is shown in the drawings, from which itwill be seen that the brushesare fastened to metallic springs g,suitably secured to the supporting-piece 11, but insulated therefrom bymeans of the insulating-sleeves and washers h. Means are provided forregu lating the force with which the brushes are pressed against theseries of contacts or segments 12 and 13, as shown in this instance,brackets i being secured to the support 11, but insulated therefrom,while bearingblocks are pivoted to said brackets and pro vided withadjusting-screws is, adapted to bear upon the under portions of thebrackets i, whereby adjustment of the screws it causes thebearing-blocks j to push the springs g more or less strongly against thesegments 12 and 13.

Supported from the frame F by means of rods Z, which may be of brass,are the seg- .1 0

v ratus.

an eccentrically-shaped rim portion 0), and.

ments comprising the contacts 12 and 13. The resistances 1t and R, whichmay be of any suitable character, are suitably connected in sections tothe insulated segments 12 and 13 and are placed in any convenientlocation where suitable connections may be made.

In order to connect the field-coil L in circuit, the leads 0 areprovided, as shown, passing through several apertures in-the cap H, butinsulated from said cap. The movable coil P is connected in circuit bymeans ofthe flexible leads 1), which, as shown, lead from said coil tobinding-posts gon the bracket 1", secured to the rods Z. .To oppose theaction of the magnetic force tending to move the coil P in onedirection, a suitable spring Q is provided with devices so arranged thatthere is a substantially ,uniform mechanical pull exerted by the springopposing the movement of the conductor. Difierent arrangements may beprovided for this purpose; but, as shown in the drawings, a rocker sispivotally supported by a bracket 15, secured to the lower portion of theframework of the appa- The shorter arm'u of the rocker has the lowerportion of said arm a is secured by a cord to to the spring a The longerarm a; of the rocker s is secured, by means of a cord y, to the lowerend of the operating shaft or rod J. As the movable coil P is movedupward under the influence of the magnetic field the spring Q exerts apull tending to oppose the movement of the coil, and by reason of theeccentric form of the rocker s the moment of the force about the axis ofthe rocker tending to oppose the spring is substantially constant.

The eccentricity of the portion 1) of the rocker may be varied, because,as shown, in this instance the portion 12 is adjustable by means of theslot 15 and pin 16, which permits the portion v to be moved in and outon the pivot 17 and secured in any desired position. The cord w, asshown, is attached to a block 18, carried by the-screw 19, secured inthe bracket 20, which projects from the portion a of the rocker, wherebythe tension of the spring may be slightly varied. At the other side ofthe rocker the cord 3 is secured -to a block 21,. carried by the screw22, se-

cured in the bracket 23, whereby the cord y ma be tightened andloosened.

1 1 1 order that a greater number of segments or contacts 12 and- 13 maybe arranged in a small space, these contacts are arranged in parallelstaggered rows, as shown in Fig. 6, over which the brushes 9 or 10 areadapted to pass. The sections of the resistances and B may be suitablyconnected to the segments, as arranged in Fi 6.

In connecting t e electroma ler E in etic controlcircuit in the system sown in Fig. 1

with each other, and the combination of the two coils is connected inseries with the generator A. As shown in Fig. 1,'the leads 0 of the coilL are connected in circuit with the main 1), while the leads p of thecoil P are connected to points'25 and 26 on the main 1), so that coil Pis in parallel to coil L. By the arrangement described any increase ofload on the generatorAwill result in an increase of current through bothcoils L and P. The pull on the coil P is of course proportional to thestrength of the current flowing through it and the density of themagnetic field through which it travels. It is therefore obvious thatany change in the current through the coil L or through coil P, orthrough both, will cause a corresponding change in the electromagneticforce acting on coil P, resulting in movement of said coil until theforce of the spring and the force acting on the coil P to move it are inequilibrium. Any change, therefore,in the load on the generator Awillresult in a change in the magnetic conditions in the regulator E, whichwill give a corresponding change in the voltage of the auxiliary dynamoC.

The operation of the regulator is as follows: The regulator is set for agiven normal load, and the external load being equal thereto themagnetic force due to the current flowing through the regulator E isjust suflicient to make the coil P take a position half-way down thelength of the air-gap 0, so that said coil is in its middle position.The brushes 9 and 10 will also be in their middle position relatively tothe segments 12 and 13, so that the excitation of the field D of theauxiliary dynamo C is zero and its voltage is also zero. There istherefore no tendency on the part of the dynamo C to assist the storagebattery B either to charge or discharge. When the load on the externalcircuit exceeds the normal, the pull on the coil P will increase, due toa slight increase in the current from the generator A. This increase inthe pull upon the coil P will cause it to move upward, and the brushes 9and 10 will bear upon one of the upper pairs of contacts 12 and13,'thereby giving an excitation to the field D of dynamo C and causinthe dynamo to generate an electromotive orce, which adds itself to thatof the battery, causing the battery to discharge and assist the whichassists the generatorevoltage to send' ,current into the battery. Theinstant the the coils, L and P 'are' arrangedv in parallel i externalload begins to change the coil mal.

begin its movement in the proper direction and continue moving until thegeneratorcurrent is restored to its normal value. In other words, thebrushes 9 and 10 will be caused to move to such a point on the contacts12 and 13 that the excitation of field D of auxiliary dynamo produces avoltage in said dynamo just sufiiclent to cause the battery to charge ordischarge an amount equal to the difference between the external loadand the normal generator-load. By correctly proportioning the parts ofthe regulator it is possible to keep the generator-load constant withina few per cent. of the nor- The changes which have been mentionedastaking place in the generator-cur rent are more strictly tendencies tochange,

which are checked in their inception: This regulator responds ra idlyand exactly to the fluctuations in the oad demand, because the movingcoil P, and with it the brushes 9 and 10, begin to travel the instantthere is any change in the external load. In accordance with thisinvention the greater the unbalancing of the system the more rapidlywill the regulator respond, and'since there is no relay used the timeconstant is avoided.

In my improved regulator the balance between the mechanical pull exertedby the spring and the electrical force in the regulator is independentof the position of the moving art. The inertia may be made very sma l,and the motion of the coil P tends to damp it. The instrument isdirect-acting, and the inertia of the moving arts is inde- 1plendent ofthe strength of t e magnetic eld, which is not the case in an ordinarysolenoid. The force that tends to make the change in the instrument isin a certain proproduced. On the contrary, in accordance vwith myinvention the field is not changed or distorted, and I obtain asubstantially constant pull at all times.

It is obvious that instead of constructing the regulator to 1 provide asubstantially constant magnetic eld of force a variable field may beprovided, and the movement of the coil P may be opposed by a spring, thetension of which increases as the coil P is drawn into the field. Inapparatus so constructed the strengthof the field increases withthetension of the spring, so that for a given change in electricalconditions the moving coil P will travel until the current conditionsare restored to .normal. The pull of the magnetic field is equalto thetension of the spring in all positions of the moving coil throughout thewhole range of travel, and the tendency to move with a given electricalcondition is the same at all parts of the magnetic field.

In my regulator there is a useful field of force and an electricconductor mounted for a substantially large range of movement in saidfield, with a mechanical force opposing the movement of said conductor,the pull of the field of force being equal to the opposing mechanicalforce in all positions of the moving conductor throughout the wholerange of travel, whereby with a given electrical condi- .tion in theinstrument the tendency of the conductor to move is the same inalllparts of the magnetic field.

Obviously some features of my invention may be used without others, andthe inven' tion may be embodied in widely-varying forms.

Therefore, without limiting the invention ful field of force, anelectric conductor carry ing a current and mountedfor a substantiallylarge range of movement in said field, and a substantially uniformmechanical pull opposing the movement of said conductor,

whereby when the balance between the electrical and mechanical forces isdisturbed, the conductor moves until the balance is restored and meanscontrolled by the instrument for effecting regulation of a circuit.

2. An electrodynamic device for regulating and other uses, comprising amagnet with poles disposed to produce a field of force substantiallyuniform throughout its working range, a conductor carrying a current andmounted for movement in and by the said field of force, and a mountingtherefor, opposing a substantially uniform force to resist saidmovement, whereby a substantial variation in the electromagneticenergization of the magnet or conductor from a fixed amount will tend tocause a movement throughout the entire range while the said variationcontinues and means controlled by the electrodynamic device foreffecting regulation of a circuit.

3. Anelectrodynamic device'for regulating and other uses, com rising ama net with poles disposed to pro uce a field of orcesu bstantiallyuniform throughout its working range, a conductor carrying acurrent and mounted for movement in and by the said field of force,means for producing an opposing force equal to the pull of saidconductor at each position in its range of motion for a givenelectromagnetic energization of the parts, whereby a substantialvariation in the electromagnetic energization of one of the said partsfrom a fixed amount will tend to -cause a movement throughout the entirerange while the said variation continues and means controlled by theelectrodynamic device for effecting regulation of a circuit.

4. An electrodynamic device for regulating and other uses, comprising amagnet with poles disposed to produce a field of force substantiallyuniform throughout its working range, a movable conductor carrying acurrent in said field of force, and a mounting therefor for giving asubstantially uniform resistance to the motion ofthe conductorthroughout its range and means controlled by the electrodynamic devicefor effecting regulation of a circuit.

5. An electrodynamic device for regulating and other uses, comprising amagnet with poles disposed to produce a field of force substantiallyuniform throughout its working range, a movable conductor carrying acurrent in said field of force, a mounting therefor 'for iving asubstantially uniform resistance to t e motion of the conductorthroughout its range, electrical connections for variably energizing oneof the said magnet and conductor by a current variable with the functionto be regulated, and means controlled by the relative motion of theconductor and magnet for regulating the said function.

6. An instrument of the character described, having a useful field offorce, an electric conductor 1 carrying a current and mounted for asubstantially large range of movement in said field, a mechanical forceopposing the movement of said conductor, the ull of the field of forceupon said conductor eing equal to the opposing mechanical force in allpositions of the moving conductor throughout the whole range of travel,where'- by with a given electrical condition in the instrument, thetendency of the conductor to move is the same in all parts of themagnetic field and means controlled by said instrument for effectingregulation of a circuit.

7. An. instrument of the character described, having asubstantiallyzuniform useful field of force produced by an electromagnethaving a given number of turns of wire 1n its coil, and fixedpole-pieces and core, an electric conductor carrying a current andmounted for a substantially large range of movement in said field, and asubstantially a fixed coil having a given number of turns current andmounted for a substantia large range of movement in said field, asubstantially uniform mechanical pull opposing the movement of saidconductor whereby when the balance between the electrical and mechanicalforces is disturbed the conductor moves until the balance is restoredand means controlled by-said instrument for'effecting re ulation of anelectric circuit.

9. An e ectrodynamic device for regulating and other uses, comprising amagnet having fixed poles, a fixed core and a coil having a given numberof turns, said parts being disposed to produce a field of forcesubstantially uniform throughout its working range, a conductor carryinga current and mounted for movement in and by the said field of eld offorce, an electric conductor carrying a y force, said moving conductorbeing moved without substantially varying the number of ampere-turns inthe magnet, and without varying the substantially uniform field offorce,

a mounting for said moving conductor and a fixed poles and a fixed coreisposed toproduce a field of force substantially uniform throughout itsWorking range, said magnet comprising a given number of ampere-turns, aconductor carrying a current mounted for movement in and by the saidfield of force without varying said field in its movement and withoutvarying the number of ampereturns of the magnet, means for producing anopposing force equal to the pull of said conductor at each position inits range of motion for a given electromagnetic energization of theparts whereby a substantial variation in the electromagneticenergization of one of the said parts from a fixed amount will tendtocause a movement throughout the entire range while the said variationcontinues and means controlled by said electrodynamic device foreffecting regulation of a circuit.

- In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presenceof two subscrib-

